Oliver (Inked Menace MC 2) (3 page)

Amara’s gaze flicked toward Maura, and just as she opened her mouth to berate her sister, her stomach growled, interrupting the irritation that was about to spew from Amara’s lips.

“You need to eat before you engage in any fun activities, noodle.”

“Yes, mother.”

“Don’t you get that tone with me. Remember what happened the last time we fought?”

Amara winced and unconsciously rubbed the spot on her upper thigh where a deep scar was hidden beneath her pants.

She smirked and said, “Do you remember what happened the last time we fought, Maura?”

Self-satisfaction wove through Amara when her sister’s hand touched her own abdomen and her jaw clenched harder.

“Move along, Tiger. You can come back and play later.”

Oliver spun and faced her sister. For just a second, she wanted to wait and see what he’d do, but she thought better of it, knowing how dirty her sister fought when she was riled up. Amara rested a hand on his shoulder, lifted onto her tiptoes so she could whisper in his ear from behind, and said, “Let me eat, and shower. We can continue this later.”

For good measure, Amara licked his ear lobe and suppressed the laugh when he shivered from her touch.

He didn’t say anything to Maura. He turned his face to the side and glanced at Amara out of the corner of his eye, a feral gleam highlighting the hazel depths. “I’ll be back in an hour. Be naked and waiting.”

“What a charming invitation,” Maura said and made a show of putting her hands on her hips. “Didn’t your momma teach you the finer ways to woo a woman?”

“I’ve never had any problems, Maura, but thanks for looking out for my dick. I’ll be sure to tell Patrick you’re so interested.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Keep cock-blocking me and find out.”

Maura huffed and placed the tray in front of her, probably so she wouldn’t do anything stupid, like punch the handsome bastard in his face.

“Don’t talk to her like that, or there won’t be any pussy for you.”

Oliver chuckled and turned to face her dead on. “I like when you say nasty words in that brilliant accent. It’s making my dick hard.” He reached out and grabbed her hand, placing her open palm over his hardness through his jeans. “I can’t wait to hear you screaming my name.”

He let go of her and backed up, then tossed over his shoulder. “Later, blocker.”

Amara watched her sister fight a grin, schooling her features into an angry mask instead. “I’m sure I’ll come up with an acceptable retort after you have your way with my sister and she and I gossip like old ladies. You better treat her right or else.”

Oliver strutted away, back toward the main clubhouse, all sinewy grace with the languid gait of someone unconcerned with the predators at his back.

The move struck her as amusing, and she shook her head as he sashayed down the hall, out of sight.

When he was sufficiently out of ear shot, Amara glared at her sister who’d leaned against the wall, still holding the tray without an ounce of shake. “Did you have to taunt him?”

“Yes.”

“That’s it? Just yes? You haven’t changed a bit.” Amara shook her head and lifted her heel to kick the door open fully. “Come on, then, princess. After you.” She held her hand out with a flourish.

Maura lifted her chin and sauntered into the small club bedroom. It had a private bathroom, full-sized bed, and cream-colored walls. It was nothing special or fancy, but it was quiet, and god, did her body just want to suddenly collapse onto the bed and fall into a deep, restful, rejuvenating sleep.

“I’m going to shower. I’ll eat when I’m clean.” Amara didn’t wait for her sister to reply. She walked by her, shut the door, sat on the toilet seat to unlace her boots, then stripped off her clothes and turned on the hot water. Her body was littered with tiny cuts and red splotches from the crash. She examined herself, then shrugged and let the steam encompass her. More scars didn’t bother her and the small cuts would heal without a blemish.

“Your food is on the table. Call me if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Maura,” she called out, and ran a hand through her thick black hair, picking small sticks and leaves out before she shampooed. Amara closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the fabricated wall of the shower and let the water cleanse most of her worries away.

3
Chapter Three

Oliver stalked back to the meeting room, adjusted his throbbing erection, then shoved his hands into his pockets and leaned against the door jamb, watching his brothers laugh and shoot the shit. He was pissed at himself for being out-of-control-teenage-hormone crazed. He clutched his hair, which was getting longer by the second thanks to his surge of testosterone, and threw it back into a ponytail before resuming his position at the table.

Hammer raised a brow. “Everything all right, there, boy? You’re looking rather ragged.”

Oliver clenched his jaw and said, “I’m fine boss. Everything’s just peachy.” He lifted his head and stared across the table, catching the knowing look on Lucky’s face.

Lucky opened his mouth, and at the last minute changed his mind about whatever it was he was going to say, merely chuckled, then shook his head.

“Is my mate with her sister?” Hammer said.

“Yeah,” Oliver said and dangled his head, gathering his composure. It wasn’t like him to get hung up over a female. He couldn't put his finger on why, but in the back of his mind, his tiger prowled incessantly, demanding he go claim the mean lady with the sexy accent and dreamy eyes.

He couldn't wait to see her midnight-black hair wrapped around his fist. On instinct, he knew she was more rough and tumble than sweet and sassy. Good. He preferred a woman who could match his passionate intensity rather than one who meekly laid there and didn’t participate fully. 

“What do you think, Oliver?”

Thoughts tangled in sheets, Oliver glanced sideways at his President and shrugged.

“That’s what I thought.” Hammer blew out a breath and reached for the cold beer bottle in front of him, taking a long swig of the brew before he said, “Ah. Are ya done mooning, brother? We’ve work to do.”

Down the table, Flash’s high-pitched chuckle grated on his nerves, though she did try and cough it into the crease of her arm to hide her amusement.

“It wasn’t too long ago,” Lucky said from across the scarred wood, “that you gave me shit for being so into a female that I lacked sense.” He raised a brow and smirked. “How’s the crow taste, bro?”

Meat pounded the table with his fist and proclaimed, “He hasn’t even tasted the dish yet and he’s already pie-eyed and pussy-whipped.”

Oliver leaned back in his chair, temper rising from the good-natured ribbing his brothers were dishing out. His heart thumped in his chest, and inside his mouth, the sharp tips of his teeth poked through his gums.

“Fuck this shit, I don’t have to take this,” he said, and shoved his chair back from the table and stood, then began to pace around the room like an angry, caged animal. His primal side clawed to get out and sink its teeth into the soft neck of the prime female currently naked and wet down the hall.

“Sit, Oliver, and calm the fuck down. She’s not going anywhere.”

When Oliver sidled his glance toward his President, he tried to avoid the harsh yellow glare. He lasted about five seconds before the weight of their chosen Alpha forced his knees to bend, but he didn’t drop for he was also an Alpha. Hammer didn’t usually resort to using the bonds of the brotherhood, so Oliver knew he must be nearly out of control.

“It’s futile to fight the feeling, bro, best to just acknowledge it,” Lucky called out.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Lucky,” Oliver growled through his teeth, pacing faster.

“Don’t be daft or it will just get worse,” Hammer said.

Oliver stopped and bent over at the waist, hands resting on his shins, doing a bit of the yoga that Lucky convinced them all to do.

“I can’t be,” Oliver said with exasperation. “A leopard?” He lost all fight and hung there limp.

Someone with high-heels kicked the back of his legs with spikes, and then Maura’s voice stung him with venom. “How dare you talk bad about my sister! She’s amazing, and anyone would be lucky to mate-bond with her, you bastard!”

Oliver flung himself up to stand to his full height just as Hammer’s mate wrapped her hand around his neck and dug her claws into his flesh, not breaking skin, but enough to burn. She thrust him against the wall and pinned him there with brute strength and sheer will.

Oliver choked and wheezed out, “You all gonna watch this happen?”

His eyes flicked to Hammer, and the President shrugged. “I learned a long time ago not to get in the middle of my wife’s battles or she’ll kick my ass. You’re on your own, kid.”

Lucky spoke up. “I told you to just admit your feelings, bro. Now reap the consequences.” He smiled at Cecelia who’d just stood and stretched like a lazy cat, ignoring the battering Oliver was taking. She leaned down and whispered something into Lucky’s ear and his brother nodded, then Cecelia turned and left the room without another glance back for his well being.

Maura squeezed her hand tighter. Oliver wanted to fight back, but he didn’t want to hurt his brother’s mate. However, he also didn’t want to become her walking, talking punching bag, either. He sagged against the wall, and bit back the grin when she strained to hold up his dead weight.

He wasn’t above using every means necessary to stay alive and keep his dick firmly attached to his body. He waited for her to drop him like a stone.

“Not gonna fight me, Pretty-Boy? Afraid I’ll wipe the floor with you, and use your hair as a mop?”

He refused to take the bait. He searched inside for calm, but his animal didn’t like the lioness taking charge of him. But the human half didn’t want to hurt the female, and he could. Easily, whether she knew it or not. She probably believed herself superior to him, but the truth was, he leashed his strength, not because he was weak, but because he had no need to lead. He preferred to be solitary, though he had come to love the club, his brothers, and even Flash, to a degree.

“What the hell is going on?” The object of his dick’s throbbing said in that sexy accent of hers that seemed to drive him crazy.

Maura turned her face almost a full 180 degrees, creeping him right the fuck out, even though it wasn't the first time he’d seen her do it, and said, “Nothing to concern yourself with, dear sister.”

“Put him down, Maura.”

He tried to grin, glanced up from under his curtain of fallen hair, and saw Amaraynth’s fists clenched at her sides. She’d changed into a loose pair of pants and a tank top that left nothing to his imagination. Her pert breasts were on display and her nipples were hard peaks, stiffening his already hard cock into a granite piston.

“I’m good,” Oliver croaked, knowing they’d all hear him thanks to their sensitive shifter blood. One of the many advantages of being not quite human.

“Where’d Cecelia go?” Amara said and sat next to Lucky in the only available seat.

Maura leaned closer to Oliver’s ear and whispered, “Don’t make me do this again, or worse, pretty boy. I protect my family.”

Oliver knew part of Maura’s rage stemmed from the knowledge of her sister’s torture at the hands of poachers, and from feeling helpless. So rather than get angry, he nodded his assent and she let him go.

She stalked back toward her mate and stood behind him, a hand on his shoulder as she glanced around the table. Oliver kicked his chair back to its place and slid onto it, elbows on the table as he rubbed his neck. Amara’s eyes met his for a brief breath, then skated away and eventually settled on a particular carving on the wood that she traced with her finger.

Lucky cleared his throat and said, “My mate went to see if she could find out anything on LexCorp.”

“Good,” Hammer said and patted his wife’s hand.

Oliver kept his gaze on Amara, but she refused to look up. She’d stilled and had gone white as a sheet. He stretched his leg out and kicked her shin under the table, jarring her face up in a jolt of shock.

“What the fuck?”

“Just trying to bring you back to the present moment, Amara.”

She deflated in her seat and nodded once then exhaled. She mouthed, “Thank you,” to him and turned her attention to his brothers.

Cecelia breezed in carrying a manila folder and dashed to his President, handing him the information before she walked to Lucky and resumed her position as lap dog.

Oliver had the absurd vision of her sprouting a long tongue and long, shaggy ears. He chuckled, lowered his head onto the table, and pounded his leg with his fist once before he picked his face back up and sobered.  He waved his hand when the others sent him curious looks. “Not important,” he said.

It seemed madness had currently overtaken him, or lack of oxygen from the lioness choking the life out of him. Either way, he was losing his marbles.

“Back to what we know,” Hammer said, and Oliver glanced his way as he perused the papers Cecelia had given him. “Looks like LexCorp has a base of operations in New York City.” Hammer waited a beat, then continued. “Who’s up for a road trip?”

The table was quiet, each of his brothers lost in their own thoughts. Oliver didn’t need to think. He spoke up. “I’m in.”

A chain reaction happened. “Of course I’m going,” said Amara. She sipped water from the glass set in front of her.

“You’re not going without me,” Maura said, making Hammer frown.

“I don’t think we should all go,” Brick said, carefully schooling his face into an emotionless veneer. “It will be hard to blend in with a huge group. If this is reconnaissance, then the least amount of people possible will be best.”

“Agreed,” said Lucky.

“We’ll go in a team of four. Me, Maura, Amara and Oliver.” Hammer said and banged the gavel. “The rest of you, find out whatever you can about LexCorp. Their other labs, personnel, connections, whatever.”

“When are we leaving?” Maura said and slid of her mate’s lap to stand. She stretched and cracked her neck, then smiled at her sister.

Amara didn’t smile back.

“Thursday morning we’ll take the train into the city.”

“You don’t want to drive?”

“Parking will be a bitch, we’ll be faster on foot through the traffic, and we’ll be less noticeable without the bikes.”

Lucky said, “Shouldn’t you have a back-up plan or exit strategy?” He toyed with a lock of Cecelia’s hair.

Their president lifted his face, his eyes glowing alpha yellow. “I’ll rip the teeth out of anyone who gets in my way.”

“Subtle, boss,” Flash said, finally speaking after absorbing the flow of information. “I thought the goal was to get in and get out unseen.”

She flashed her trademark smile at him, the one she used when she knew she was goading someone, or calling them out.

Flash had the unique ability to draw out your animalistic side if you let her. Oliver cleared his throat. “I think we should leave the bikes someplace close by, just in case.

“We can bike in tomorrow night, get a lay of the land so to speak, park in a garage of some sort, then take the train home. We can do recon the following morning, do the original plan. Ride the train in plain clothes, do some walking. Then take the bikes home. No cut.”

“Why? It makes no sense,” Hammer said, grinding his teeth. Maura rested her hand on his shoulder, leaned down and pressed her lips to his cheek.

“It makes perfect sense, love.”

“Fine. Meat, I’ll need you to stay here to run things while I’m gone.”

Meat nodded. “Sure thing, Pres.”

“What about me?” Flip asked.

“Call the other charters and packs, discretely. Find out if any of their shifters have been kidnapped, gone missing, or reported being tortured.”

Flip swallowed and nodded his head once.

“The rest of you, stay available. We have no idea what we’re about to face, and we may need you.”

Everyone around the table nodded, and Hammer banged the gavel down.

Lucky and Cecelia left, followed by Brick, Flip, Meat and Flash, until only Amara, Maura, Oliver, and Hammer remained in the room.

“Is this wise?” Amara asked to no one in particular.

“We need to find these bastards and shut them down, so yeah, babe,” Oliver said. “It’s necessary.”

“What are you scared of, sweetie?” Maura’s fierce energy crackled around the room, touching them all in palpable waves.

Amara rose to stand. “I’m not afraid,” she said and turned to leave the room.

It was then Oliver noticed the fine white lines marking her back, some crisscrossing, others in odd shapes. He saw her hand tremble, and he couldn’t resist the wave of empathy coursing through him. He jumped from his seat, startling Maura, and sprung over the table, quick and spry, landing softly on the pads of his feet. He didn’t dare grab Amara, somehow knowing she’d turn on instinct and belt him out of fear.

“Amara?” he said quietly. An interior need to comfort and soothe the worse of her hurts hyper-focused his attention on the way she inhaled. The way she walked with a stiff back, head straight, shoulders set in order to keep her emotions in check. What strength this woman had. Courage. Oliver wanted to give her something. Something sweet, and tender, because he knew she hadn’t seen much of either in her life.

She stopped walking and rotated her neck in that freaky way most cats did. She didn’t say anything.